Canada is one of those special destinations that you want to keep going back to. Not only is it geographically huge and diverse, but it’s home to some downright great cities full of interesting and exciting things to do. In the winter, sure, it gets cold. But that’s also what makes the country all the more charming!
So let’s take a look at Canada and recommend you five places to check out if you’re considering headed out there this winter. Poutine, hockey and delicious beer await!
Toronto
We know it’s still early in the year as we come into autumn but considering going to Toronto over the Christmas period is something well worth doing. Not only fun activities like tobogganing (in Riverdale Park) and skating (at the Harbourfront Centre) await, but so do old Toronto staples like shopping at the St Lawrence farmers market or seeing one of the free shows put on by the Canadian Opera Company. There’s always a ton to do in Toronto.
It’s also a good idea to get an idea of what’s going on in the community away through active listing sites. Kijiji, Canada’s answer to Craigstlist, can be used to bolster a trip if you’re looking to pick up special equipment for activities like those outlined above, or even to check out other community goings-on too!
Vancouver
Vancouver, thanks to its nearby mountains, is a great winter destination for people wanting to get up close and personal with all Canada has to offer. Whether skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing tickles your fancy, Vancouver, and its surrounding areas, is an ideal place to try. Still, inside the city itself of course there’s still lots to see and do, including free ice skating at Robson Square, checking out the Winter Wonderland at Grouse Mountain and doing your seasonal shop all over the inner city shopping precincts.
Montreal
Montreal is pretty special in winter and that’s for lots of reasons. One of the main ones however is its festivals. Whether its New Years Eve Grand Bal and Fireworks Display, or Montreal’s High Lights Festival, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a great time at both. Then there’s the skating down at Parc La Fontaine, where you might also get the chance to watch some pick-up hockey games too.
The cafe and dining culture in Montreal comes to life around winter with people flocking to creperies, artisanal cafes and pastry shops for warming goodies that help with the cold outside.
Ottawa
Ottawa’s the place you want to go if you’re into things like ice fishing, sledding, logging and cross-country skiing. From the trails of Gatineau Park, to a 20-minutes ride downtown to Ottawa River, nature is at its finest (and, some might say, harshest) in the Canadian winter months. Of course you’ve got all the usual culture too, with Winterlude, Canada’s largest festival, happening right in the city.
Calgary
Put on the map with the 1988 Winter Olympics, Calgary has a heap to offer visitors in winter beside that of its massive sports complex built exclusively for Olympic competition. Down in the centre of the city itself you have sights such as Calgary Tower and Stephen Avenue Walk vying for your attention, right alongside attractions like Glenbow Museum and Calgary Zoo.
Canada, thanks to its classic blend of cities and breathtaking natural landscape, is the place to go this winter. Whichever city you choose there’s no end to the amount of fun you could have. Just remember to wrap up warm and keep the hot coffee coming.
